Anti-Bullying Policy

 

The Board of Trustees (“Board”) of MaST Community Charter School (“MaST”) is committed to providing a safe, positive learning environment for charter school students. The Board recognizes that bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, detracts from the safe environment necessary for student learning, and may lead to more serious violence. Therefore, the Board prohibits bullying by MaST Community Charter School students.

Bullying means an intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in a school setting or during any school-related/sponsored activity, that is severe, persistent or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:

1. Substantial interference with a student’s education.
2. Creation of a threatening environment.
3. Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school. .

Bullying, as defined in this policy, includes cyberbullying.

School setting means in the school, on school grounds, on the school’s network or computer equipment, in charter school vehicles, at any activity sponsored, supervised or sanctioned by MaST Community Charter School.

The Board prohibits all forms of bullying by charter school students. MaST will not tolerate known acts of bullying in all school settings. Each student shall be responsible to respect the rights of others and to ensure an atmosphere free from bullying.

The Board encourages students who have been bullied to promptly report such incidents to the Disciplinarian, school principal or designee.

The Board directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified. Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained, consistent with the legal and investigative obligations of the charter school. No reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying. For bullying/cyberbullying that occurs outside the school setting, MaST shall take appropriate disciplinary action to the extent permitted by applicable law.

The Board directs the CEO or designee to develop administrative regulations to implement this policy and ensure that this policy and administrative regulations
are reviewed annually with students.

The CEO or designee, in cooperation with other appropriate administrators, shall review this policy every three (3) years and recommend necessary revisions to the Board. The administration shall annually provide the following information with the Safe School Report:

1. Board’s Bullying Policy.
2. Report of bullying incidents.
3. Information on the development and/or implementation of any bullying prevention, intervention or education programs.

The Code of Student Conduct, which shall contain this policy, shall be disseminated annually to students. The policy shall be posted in a prominent location within each school building and on MaST’s intranet and public website.

Education
MaST Community Charter School may develop and implement bullying prevention and intervention programs where appropriate. Such programs shall provide the charter school staff and students with appropriate training for effectively responding to, intervening in and reporting incidents of bullying.

Consequences For Violations
A student who violates this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, which may include:

1. Counseling within the school.
2. Parental conference.
3. Loss of school privileges.
4. Transfer to another school building, classroom or school bus.
5. Exclusion from school-sponsored activities.
6. Detention.
7. Suspension.
8. Expulsion.
9. Counseling/Therapy outside of school.
10. Referral to law enforcement officials.

MaST Charter School will comply with all applicable federal and state laws relating to bullying and cyberbullying as well as the Public School Code.